Speech Modification and Communication Development (ACNRC)

Speech modification and communication development can involve a variety of techniques and activities, including:

• Speech therapy

Speech therapists can help with pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm to improve speech clarity and ease of understanding.

• Speech modification strategies

Speech-language pathologists can use strategies to help people with dysarthria improve their speech intelligibility. These strategies include slowing down speech, using a louder voice, and emphasizing key words.

• Activities to encourage speech and language development

Activities include:

• Modeling use of cause-effect toys
• Imitating a child’s actions or vocalizations
• Playing anticipatory action games
• Using routine phrases in play
• Asking a child “What’s this?” and getting them to point to or name objects
• Speaking clearly to a child
• Repeating what a child says
• Paying attention when a child talks
• Getting a child’s attention before talking
• Reading aloud to a child
• Talking with a child through daily tasks
• Teaching sign language

The treatment procedures referred to here as “speech modification” are those that use a known fluency-inducing condition and that have as an explicit goal teaching the client to speak in a manner that will not include stuttering.

It means all the different ways a child understands and communicates, only part of which are spoken words. Communication and language development is important, because speaking is an indicator of fine motor skill development and a reflection of cognitive development.

What Is Communication and Language Development

Children grow and develop rapidly in their first five years across the four main areas of development. These areas are motor (physical), communication and language.

Communication and language development is about more than talking. It means all the different ways a child understands and communicates.
Communication and language development is important, because speaking is an indicator of fine motor skill development and a reflection of cognitive development.

Reading is one of the best ways to encourage communication and language development. As an infant, hearing words and seeing pictures helps a child understand the two are connected. This lays a foundation for speech, which begins around nine months and typically increases as a child grows.

Parents and caregivers play a big role in a child’s communication and language development. Here are some suggestions for how to encourage this development:

• Answer when your baby makes sounds. This will help him/her learn to use language.
• Read to your baby. This will help him/her develop and understand language and sounds.
• Help to develop your toddler’s language by talking with him/her and adding words. For example, if your toddler says “baba,” you can respond, “Yes, you are right – that is a bottle.”
• Encourage your child to tell you his/her name and age.
• Teach your child simple songs like “Itsy Bitsy Spider,” or other cultural childhood rhymes.
• Help your child develop good language skills by speaking in complete sentences and using “grown-up” words. Help your child to use the correct words and phrases.